February 16, 2018 ~ Lenten Reflections (English & Espanol)

One of John Lennon's iconic songs, based upon a poem by Yoko Ono, calls upon us to imagine no heaven and no hell with all the people living for today in peace. We know, however, that there is indeed a heaven and that we must take certain action in order to reach it. Let's imagine what that might be.

Picture a wedding banquet with the tables set only with bread and water. Or a birthday party with only candles, no cake. See a Thanksgiving with no turkey, no dressing and no pumpkin pie.

Imagine a Christmas with no presents or Easter with no ham, no colored eggs and no chocolate bunnies. You wouldn't invite your family or best friends to such "feasts," now would you?

Now imagine tables piled with food and presents. You go out into the streets and cry out in full voice like a trumpet blast inviting the poor, the lonely, the lame, the widow, the orphan, the oppressed and the rejected to come to the feast.

You watch from the shadows with your family and friends as each guest eats his or her fill and unwraps their gifts of food, clothing, shelter, love. You forget about your own hunger, your own wants and desires.

This is the fasting to which Jesus calls us in order to reach the eternal banquet. He will be the first guest to arrive and the last to leave. And the world will be truly one living in peace.